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CNO Leads Battle of Midway Commemoration
(June 6, 2009) |
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WASHINGTON (6/4/2009 - NNS) -- The chief of naval operations (CNO)
spoke at the Battle of Midway Commemoration Ceremony at the U.S. Navy Memorial
June 4 in Washington.
Adm. Gary Roughead, CNO, said the Battle of Midway showed the world what an
American Sailor could do and is the ultimate statement of the Navy's ethos and
character. He said it was what Admiral Chester Nimitz called 'A glorious page in
our history.' |
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| Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. Gary Roughead inspects members of the Navy and Marine Corps ceremonial guard during the Battle of Midway Commemoration Ceremony at the Navy Memorial in Washington
on June 4, 2009. Each year, the Navy remembers the he courage and sacrifice of the Sailors who fought in the Battle of Midway, a turning point in the Pacific during WWII. U. S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Tiffini Jones Vanderwyst |
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The Battle of Midway was a turning point in the war in the
Pacific during World War II from 6-8, 1942. Each year, the Navy commemorates the
battle by remembering the Sailors who fought so valiantly.
"While we look back on the incredible achievements of Midway and reflect on what
it took for those Sailors to win, we can also look forward with great
confidence," Roughead said. "Knowing that the challenges we face today will be
overcome by Sailors and citizens with the same devotion, spirit and uncommon
valor of those who fought and won at Midway."
More than 600 people, including 10 Midway veterans, attended and listened as CNO
thanked the veterans and their families for their courage and sacrifice and
stated that Sailors today are following their example.
"The actions taken by the individual Sailors who fought in this battle - the
strength of their character and firmness of their resolve – is why this Battle
is so significant in our history and why we commemorate it today," Roughead
said.
CNO noted that as he spoke in Washington, the Ronald Reagan Strike Group,
including the frigate USS Thach (FFG 43), was steaming in the waters near Midway
Island to honor the nation's World War II veterans and conduct a burial at sea
for Cmdr. Dave "Abe" Simmons, the one-time wingman of Adm. Jimmy Thach, one of
the heroes of the Battle of Midway. | |
Article by
MCS 2nd Class (SW) Rebekah Blowers
Chief of Naval Operations Public Affairs
Copyright 2009
Reprinted from Navy
News
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